HC Deb 24 May 1916 vol 82 cc2074-5
7. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will give the text of the order under which, in certain streets in Dublin, during and after the recent insurrection, the military fired on all persons indiscriminately, whether combatant or not, entered all the houses, drove out all the male occupants, and fired on them when out; and if he will say what was the purpose of this order?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)

No such order was ever given, and I have previously informed the House that every care was taken to secure the safety of women and children.

Mr. GINNELL

Can the right hon. Gentleman deny that, order or no order, the action described in the question was taken?

Mr. TENNANT

It is certainly not in accordance with the information that reached me.

8. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of men, women, and children shot, fatally and otherwise, while crossing the drawbridge at Great Brunswick Street, Dublin, during the insurrection by the military from the belfry of St. Mary's Church, Haddington Road, and from Beggarsbush Barrack; what was the object of concentrating on that bridge, where there were no armed men and no fighting; whether he has got a report on the case of Mrs. Naylor, shot on the bridge; of a doctor wearing a white coat and Red Cross armlet fired upon by the military when he ran to her assistance; of civilians waving white handerchiefs to be allowed to assist her being fired upon by the military; of her lying on the bridge in agony for five hours; of her death on reaching Sir Patrick Dunn's Hospital, where two men at the risk of their lives had carried her; and whether the military have prevented any inquiry into this and the other casualties on that bridge?

Mr. TENNANT

It is difficult to identify the locality mentioned, but it is impossible to give the number of persons shot in this or any other particular locality during the rebellion. No report of the occurrences stated to have taken place has been received.

Mr. GINNELL

Has the right hon. Gentleman any account at all of the killing of Mrs. Naylor?

Mr. TENNANT

No, Sir.

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